The Friends of Steinway Mansion, a non-profit organization, have begun a fundraising campaign with the goal of purchasing the Astoria home located at 18-22 41st Street. This collation of businesses, community groups and individuals want to purchase the Steinway Mansion and use it as a public space.

The mansion was used as a summer home for the Steinway family and has been a part of the Astoria community for 155 years.

“The Steinway Mansion has always been an important part of our community,” said Bob Singleton, executive director of the Greater Astoria Historical Society and founder of the Friends of Steinway Mansion.

Under his leadership, the group has begun a music series that will take place on selected dates over the next two months to raise funds, with more initiatives in the works.

“We have active plans to expand both fundraising and public awareness to a much broader area,” he said. “We’ve been noticing that we are getting interest from outside of the immediate area.”

Michele Kazarian, executrix of Steinway Mansion, has lowered the price from $1.9 million to $1 million, but will only include three of the seven plots of land in the sale.

“I think it’s best that we purchase the building and all of the surrounding property,” said Singleton. “It would be a poor reflection of the city if harm came to this property.”

Singleton said the fundraising has been going well, and urged community members to sign a petition at www.steinwaymansion.org.

The Friends of Steinway Mansion hopes funds will be left over after purchasing the building in order to make it ADA accessible and bring the facility up to code.

“The faster the community pulls together and gets behind this effort, the faster we will be able to enjoy this place,” said Singleton. “We really need to see an end to this fundraising campaign and at least secure the property.”